MATERIAL and METHODS: A total of 59 male Wistar albino rats were randomly divided into six groups: control (group 1), sham (group 2), decapitation one hour after SAH (group 3), decapitation 48 hours after SAH (group 4), NEC-1 given 15 minutes before SAH and decapitation one hour after SAH (group 5), and NEC-1 given 24 hours after SAH and decapitation 48 hours after SAH (group 6). NEC-1 (1 uq) was administered intracisternally in dimethyl sulfoxide (DMSO) (2.6 uq). After decapitation, the cross-sectional areas and wall thicknesses of basilar arteries were determined histopathologically using stereological methods.

RESULTS: NEC-1 administered before SAH had a statistically significant preventive effect on vasospasm following SAH. Arterial wall thicknesses were found to be significantly increased in the SAH without NEC-1 groups but not in the control group, the sham group or the NEC-1 groups.

CONCLUSION: The results of this study show that NEC-1 can prevent vasospasm in rats and has cytoprotective effects. Further studies are needed for the clinical use of this agent. Keywords : Necrostatin-1, Stereology, Subarachnoid hemorrhage, Vasospasm, Rat